the strongest and most binding temptation is that of self-righteousness, particularly when it is paired with an ideological commitment to judge oneself not by one’s actions, but by the intended effects of those actions.
Yeah--while simultaneously judging others by their actions.
Definitely true about an incompetent secret police being as terrifying as a competent one, too.
Everyone else is responsible not only for the actual effects of their actions, but all the bad things they might have intended to happen to. It's their own fault for not falling in line with true enlightenment!
Romance of the Three Kingdoms is also full of useful tips and worked examples on the getting and keeping of power in an adverse environment. See particularly the career of Cao Cao.
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Yeah--while simultaneously judging others by their actions.
Definitely true about an incompetent secret police being as terrifying as a competent one, too.
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...how did The Prince not make it onto the list? Does the SfID have problems with Machiavelli? :)
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(Oh gosh Hannah Arendt. I think about 'the banality of evil' a lot these days...)
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